E3 2010: Professor Layton and the Unwound Future

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We're ready for our third trip with the professor and his trusty apprentice.

By Dana Jongewaard

Nintendo unveiled a LOT at its press conference, but the company had so many new games that not everything got highlighted. One such game was the third title in the Professor Layton series, which is called Professor Layton & the Unwound Future.

The demo we saw took place right at the start of the game. Layton and his apprentice Luke are at the unveiling of a time machine. After chatting with the townspeople -- and solving the game's first puzzle, where you need to help a security guard figure out which table a gate-crasher is sitting at -- the ceremony begins.

Expect more crazy denizens who need your help.

Dr. Alain Stahngun, the inventor of the machine, brings up the resident dignitary Prime Minister Bill Hawks to assist him in demonstrating the machine's capabilities. However, things don't go as planned (or do they?), and the time machine, prime minister, and inventor vanish from the stage.

Luke and Layton decide to travel to London to investigate what happened, and to also figure out why a number of prominent scientists have been disappearing.

The professor is back with a ton of new puzzles.

The gameplay looks like it holds steadily to the formula established in the first two games, but for fans of the series, that's a very good thing. And start sharpening your noggins now -- the game hits store shelves this September 20.

The third game in the Professor Layton trilogy. As suggested by the name, the puzzle-solving professor's new exploits revolve around time travel as Layton and his young partner Luke travel forward to future London.